Are you tired of constantly feeling fatigued and experiencing unexplained weight changes? Do you struggle with regulating your blood sugar levels? If so, you might be one of the millions of people worldwide who have been diagnosed with diabetes. However, diabetic foot care might be a saviour for you. But before we get into this let’s first talk about what diabetes is, its types, symptoms and treatments.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way your body processes sugar (glucose), one of the primary sources of fuel for your cells. Normally, the hormone insulin helps regulate the amount of glucose in your blood. But in people with diabetes, this system is disrupted. The result is either an insufficient amount of insulin (type 1 diabetes) or resistance to insulin (type 2 diabetes), which leads to elevated blood sugar levels and the development of serious health problems. Let’s discover them in more detail.
Types of Diabetes
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Type 1 Diabetes
Rebel Type 1 diabetes occurs when your immune system destroys the cells in your pancreas that produce insulin. As a result, people with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin injections or use an insulin pump for diabetic foot care.
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Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is the most common type of diabetes and affects the majority of people with the condition. It occurs when your body becomes resistant to insulin and is unable to properly use it. Over time, this leads to elevated blood sugar levels and the need for medication.
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Gestational Diabetes
Temporary Troublemaker Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. It affects around 9% of pregnant women and typically disappears after giving birth. However, women who have had gestational diabetes are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
How Diabetes Can Affect Your Feet
If you have diabetes and proper diabetic foot care is not performed then people with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing a range of foot problems. It is due to the effects of elevated blood sugar levels on the feet. Here are some of the most common foot problems faced by people with diabetes, and what you can do to help prevent or manage them:
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Neuropathy
This is a common complication of diabetes and occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the nerves in your feet. As a result, you may lose feeling in your feet, making it difficult to detect injuries, cuts, or blisters. This can lead to infections, which in turn can lead to more serious problems, including amputation in severe cases. To help prevent neuropathy, it’s important to control your blood sugar levels and take care of your feet.
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Poor Circulation
People with diabetes are also more likely to experience poor circulation, which can slow the healing process and increase the risk of infection. Regular exercise can help improve circulation and overall foot health, but it’s also important to check your feet regularly for signs of problems and work with your healthcare team to monitor and manage your blood sugar levels.
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Calluses and Corns
Calluses and corns are thickened areas of skin that develop as a result of friction or pressure on the feet. People with diabetes are more likely to develop these problems due to poor circulation and nerve damage, which can make it difficult to detect and treat them. To help prevent calluses and corns, it’s important to wear well-fitting shoes that provide support and protection for your feet.
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Ulcers
An ulcer is an open sore that can develop on the foot as a result of injury, infection, or pressure. People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing ulcers due to poor circulation, neuropathy, and a reduced ability to fight infections. To help prevent ulcers, it’s important to check your feet regularly and take steps to keep your feet clean and dry.
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Amputation
In severe cases, people with diabetes may need to undergo amputation to treat a foot problem that cannot be managed through other means. This is a last resort in many cases through proper foot care, good diabetes management, and early treatment of foot problems.
Conclusion
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way the body processes sugar. This leads to elevated blood sugar levels and the development of serious health problems. There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Proper diabetic foot care, good diabetes management, and early treatment of foot problems can help prevent these complications. Additionally, it can also improve the overall health and well-being of people with diabetes. It is important to work closely with your healthcare team to monitor and manage your blood sugar levels and take steps to keep your feet healthy.
